Gang-plow.



'1. B. VBIIRTHULOMEW.

GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED NOV .29. I9I0.

Patented Nov. 16, 19l5.`

- 2. SHEETS-SH T I,

UNITED sTnTEsI PATENT oEEIoE.

JOIEIN B. BABTHOLOMEW,' OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 vAVERY COMPLANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

dan(ir-PLOW.4

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

Application tiled November 29, 1910. Serial No; 594,727.

To all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that'I, JOHN B. BAnTHoLo- MEW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria andpState of Illinois, have invented certain new and l5 line oblique to the lines of draft or general direction of travel. For this reason when devices are used which raise or lower the plows simultaneously the end of the furrows are left uneven. To obviate thisY devices have been proposed for effecting the lifting of the plows in succession and also their similar lowering so as to secure furrows of equal length. i.

One object of my present invention is to produce a gang plow provided with power lifting devices of this latter character which are simple in construction and reliable and eiicient in operation.

The invention relates particularly to gang plowing mechanisms of the class in which ground surface that the plow-beam-attaching points will be held in substantiallyr fixed 'positions in relation to the ground surface when the apparatus is at work. Each plow unit is secured to the draft frame in such Lio'way that the important parts of theunit,

fsuch as the body and the beam. will be so held at all times that they can vibrate verti- 'iicalllyin arcs which are fixed in relation i0 thef'connecting points on the frame. IThe v plowing mechanisms of the class referred to.

arein contradistinction to those of the class in which there were several points of flexible union between the beam and the frame; there always being an overha'nging` support connected'. to the unit at a point near the' plow body, and intended to lift or lower the bodv-` and there 'Generally beine also a link t* l C system interposed between the front end of the beam proper and the draft frame. the link or links being connected to the front end of the beams by one set of pivot devices, and the front end ofthe link or links being connected by another set of pivot devices, the front end of the beam proper being i allowed to move vertically bodily in relation to the frame and sometimes to move laterally.

In a plow of the sortto which the present invention relates, the plow unit. comprises a beam which, when at work. is rigid in relation to the plow body. and is secured to the. draft frame by a device furnishing a single pivot abutment around which the beam and the body swing vertically, as aforesaid. in fixed a'rcs and the supporting of the body at any one of its several working lines (optionally predetermined) and its lifting vertically to points above the ground are-accomplished by means of a wheel connected to the beam and located relatively near the body whereby it is adapted to take the down pressure from the suction of the body when at work and from its gravity when it is ele# vated for transportation.

Another object of the invention is to provide.-in a plowing mechanism of the class described. power mechanism (preferably operatedy by ground wheels as. for instance. those which support the main frame) connected tothe ground wheels which support the plow units to move them relatively atcuniform intervals and at uniform speeds successively beginning with the foremost one to effect the lifting of the several plow units atl uniform' intervals and at uniform speeds successively beginning with the foremost one.

The form of my invention which prefer ground; Fig. si lis a rear elevation of lthe clutch mechanism which constitutes a part of the power lifting device; Fig. 5 is a vert1- cal section on the line :3m-5 of Fie. ez. Fig. G

fes

other; Fig. 7 'is a detail view of the upperv 9mountedin the block 4 of the frame.

addition there'are wheels 10 and 11 mounted .upon a transverse axle 12 which is mounted;

l plows.

lis 'a' diagrammatic side view of the lifting cams showingtheir spaced relation to each part of the shank ofA one of the individual Referring in detail to the construction illustrated, 1 designates the main frame of .the plow as an entirety. This frame is -roughly triangular in voutline and consists of a. side bar 2 having an oblique forward exi tension 2a, an obliquely disposed bar 3 which.

is connected by a block 4 with the oblique bar 2a, andan obliquely disposed bar 5 ex- Y tending frornthe rearend of the side bar 2 forward to the oblique. bar 3. A brace bar- 6 extends from the left forward corner of VAthe' frame to the oblique'bar 5. All of the frame bars are rigidly connected as by rivets or bolts.

The frameis supported on the ground by,v

wheels, there being a front wheel 7 mounted .on afswinging yoke or carrier 8, said carrier having at its front end a vertical t'runnion Inatone end in a vbearing bracket13 on the 'fralneba'r 2 and at its other end a bearing bracket 14- which` is carried by mrear# ward extension 3fL of the frame bar In the present construction I have shown a. gang made up offour individual plows or plowing, units 15,16, 17 and 18'. Eachof theseunits preferably consists of a beam or frame made up of parallel bars 19, 20, be tv'een which are bolted the shank or standard 21 which 'carries the plow4 body The 'upper part of the plow shank 21 is prefer-1 1 ably formed as shown in Fig. 7, there being -a hole through which .is passed'one of the securing bolts 24, a slot 25 through which the other securing bolt 26 passes.

27 is a spring clip which has a sliding engagement with a shouldery 28 formed on *'the front ofthe .plow 'shank and which is heldin position by a stud bolt 29 and a' coiled-spring 30 interposed between lthe'head of said bolt and the clip. The upper end of the clip is formed with a hook 30a which overlies a cross bolt 31 carrred by the lplow beam bars 19, 20. .The spring pressed clip serves to holdthe plow body in'its normal upright position when the resistance to the advance of thelploiw is normal, but when anv obstruction such as a rock or the like is struck the .abnormal resistance causes the.I

spring clip to. give ,way and permits the y plow body to swing downward and rear ward about the securing bolt 24. v

I do not herein specilicallyclaim the con-4 lnection shown between the plow-beam and the plow-shank or standard as itis presented and claimed in my zo-pending applicationvSer.v llo. 670,228, filed Jan. 9, 1912.

The front ends of the beam bars 19 and bent as shown 4to form offsets to receive said 20 are preferably spaced apart as shownin Fig. l: and pivotally secured toa rod or-pin 32 which is carried by brackets-33, 34,'. which in turn are secured to a bar 35 which 1s connected with the wheel for moving the .f

wheel relativelylto the beam and thereby lifting unit as a whole upon the wheel as a support. Of the mechanism shown, 39 is 'a bell crank ,or lever fulcrumed at 40 on a bracket 41 and connected at its forward Y Y" end by a link 42 to the standard 37. A hand screw 43 is mounted in the rearend :of the lever 39 so as-bear upon one 'of the beam lbars of the plow. The lever 39 carries an upright eXtensionBS)a to which is adjust-ably connected a linka-44 that extends forward t0 actuating devices which are' presently to' be describe .A p l 45 is a coil spring-which is secured, at one 45nd to the lever extension 39al and at its other 4end'tol one of the plow beam portions; lVhen the frontend of thelever 39 is raised throwing the wheel 36 to its uppermost position,

which position'is determined bythe contact ofthe, screw 43 with the plow beam, said wheel serves-as asupporting wheel. By throwing the front end of the ,lever 39l downward it will b'e seen. that the'wheel 39 is or to speak more accurately, the. plow beam is raised relatively to the wheel andas the wheel rests upon the ground 'the plow body is thus lifted from the soil'.

' forced downward relative to the plow beam,

l Each of `the individual plows is4 const'ruet-v ed and arranged as has been de's'crlbedfand- V to provide for the Vrlifting of the plowsV iny succession I provide a suitable power-mech anism,vhich,in theI preferred form, is actunism which I have'vshown and which I vprefer is connected to transmit theA power of the main frame ground wheels to -the lever 39;. but 1t will be understood'that as concerns i ated by'- ground wheel traction. The mecha' this feature of myinvention there' can be variation.

As shown, a short shaft 46 is mounted preferably` transversely -in bearing brackets or standards 47 and 48."these brackets being carried by theframe bars' 2 and 5 Vrespectively. On this shaft 46 is" mounted a clutch' mechanism which comprises parts asfollowsf "t I z. l.

49 is a sprocket wheel whi'chis'rigidwitb 'l niemeer f rated wheel 50. On the other end of the dog is formed a rshoulder having ay function which will presently be stated.

55 is a spring interposed between an abutment. on the disk 51 and the dog 52 said Y spring tending t0 swing the roller 54 into engagement with the -teetli of the wheel 50.

The bearing standard 48 carries a pivot- 'pin 56 upon which is mounted a lever 5T,

the said lever being thus disposed adjacentthe disk 51. V'The lower endvof -the lever carries a laterally extending lug 58 which extends across the plane of the disk 51 into the plane of the dog 52. The lower end of the lever 5T is notched to receive the endi of a spring59. the other end of which is adjustably secured to a lug 48"1 on the standard 48'. The spring' 59 draws the lower arm of Athe lever 5T toward the shaft 46 and presses the lug 58 against the periphery of the disk 51. Normally the lug` 58 lies in a notch 51TL formed in the disk 51. The lever 5T has an upward extension 60 to which is connected a cord 61 which can be extended forward to a Apointl where it may conveniently. be grasped by a person on the tractor.

On' the axle 12 directly beneath the sprocket wheel 49 is secured a sprocket wheel 62 and this is connected by means of a sproket chain 63 to the wheel 49 so that the latter is constantly driven when the aXle is turning The parts are normally in the positions shown in' Fig. 5. the lug being in engagement with. the dog 52 and servingto press said 'dog against the action of the spring into the position shown so that the roller 54 is entirely out of engagement with the seriated wheel 50. 1f now the coid 61 is pulled forward the lower arm of the lever 5T is swung' rearwardly so as to raise the lug 58 out of the notch 51u and out of engagement with the dog 52. The dog when freed from the pressure of the lug 58 is swung by'the spring to bring the roller .54 into engagement with the serrated wheel 50. The rotation of the latter wheel is then i transmitted through the dog 52 to the disk olution of the disk- 51 nears its end. the

shoulder extension 52a of the dog v52 engages the lug 58 so that the dog begins to swing, upon its pivot 53 and then a's the notch 51 of the disk 51 comes opposite the lug 58 the latter is snapped forward, thus causing the dog to be swung to its initial position with the roller 58 entirely out of engagement with the serrated wheel 50. In this manner the movement of the disk 51 and therefore of the'shaft 46 is stopped precisely at the end of a single revolution.

` 64 is a sprocket wheel keyed or otherwise 'rigidly secured to the shaft'46 and this wheel is connected by means of a sprocket chain 65 to a sprocket wheel 66 which is fast ona transverse shaft GT, this shaft being rotatably supported in bearing standards 68, 69. 11i the constructionshown the diameter ofthe sprocketwheel 64 is one half that of the wheel 6G and it will be seen therefore that when the shaft 46 is given asingle revolution by the action of the clutch mecha.- nism which has been described, the shaft 6T will be 'given a half revolution.

i On the shaft .GT is mounted a series of arms TO, T1, T2 and 'T23 preferably in the formof cams shaped as shown. The camsare disposed respectivelyv approximately in line with the individual plows. Adjacent each cam is arranged alever arm T4 which is pivoted at its lower end to a bracket ,on the main frame. This lever is adjustably connected at its upper end to the front end Of the link or rod 44 which at its other end is connected to the plow lifting lever 39. Each of the lever arms T4 carries a roller T6 in a position to bear upon the adjacent cam.

Each of the cams referred to iseformed on its forward edge or side with an outwardly land rearwardly curving surface 'TT which I shall refer to as the active surface. This surface merges with a neutral circular or and by the diameter of the wheels 10' 11,-

and the ratios of -the gears between the 4wheel axle 12 and the shaft 46, the spacing being such that the several cams come into action one after another so that the plows are lifted from the ground at points in the saine transverse line. It will be seeirthat whenV the shaft 5i is rotated the active parts TT of the cams press against the rollers 76' and causes the lever T4 to swing forward and thus the lifting levers 39, are swung soas to lift the individual plows on their..re"

spective gage wheels 3G. As the rollers TG one after another ride outward on the active faces TT of their respective cams they pass upon the neutral cylindrical surfaces T8 of` said cams and ai'e thus automatically held forward so as to hold the plows in their-elevated positions. In other words the actuating devlces for the plow lifting means are non-o verhauling, when said devices have.

been moved into their positions corresponding to the elevated positions of the ploWs. Furthermore, the length and-relative angular arrangement. of the cylindrical vsurfaces 78 of each of the cams is suchthat. at

' the .end of a halfrevolution of the shaft 67 the several -rollers 7G rest uponintermediate points of the said cylindrical surfaces 78- ot the respective cams with said surfaces extending a substantial distance on either side of. the rollers 18; so thereis no precise point ordead center at which the cam shaft must be stopped in order to secure theautomatic locking action; of the actuating devices.

To lower the plows it is only necessary-to .trip the clutch mechanism thus causing one revolution of the shaft i6 and a half revolution of the shaft 67. revolution of the shaft 67- the neutral faces 7 8 ofthe cams' are moved one after another, beginning with the cam 70, past their respective rollers 76, thus allowing one after another of the levers 'il to swing rearward under. the action of the weight 'of the plows so that one after another Aofthe plows are lowered and enter the ground at points on the same transverse line.

In the drawings I have indicated dia grammatically the rear end of a tractor having wheels S0. S0, mounted on an'axle 8l, and having a body or .framework S2. The plow .frame can be detachable and flexibly connected to the tractorin any 'suitable'.v

manner, but I prefer to employ crossed chains S3, arrangedas shown in Figs.

1 and 2. i

The operation or handling ofthe plow i will be readily understood from the description which I have given. Arriving at the en d of the furrows the engineer or `driver o't' the tractor has only' to pull forward on the cord 61 so. as to trip the clutch mechanismwhereupon-the cam shaft" 6T is given a half revolution during which the cams are swung forward 'so as to'liftthe plows from the ground one after another in .the manner described and to sustain -them in their elevated positions. The machine having been turned the driver can again lower the plows one after the othergby siml'ilypullingvon the "cord 61 as before, thusl again tripping the clutch mechanism and causing a 'seccnd half revolution of the cam shaft 6| during which the plows are againlowered in succession. 'By adjusting the connections of the links att to the lever larms 7i and Sila-the height to which theplows are llfted can be 'variedwithin certain llmits. And bv vadjusting the hand screw i3 the .depth of` the cut can be varied as has been explained. I

Iconsider the improvedcam mechanism During this half for raisingholding and lowering the plows to be much simpler and more practical and' reliable. in operation than any other means which has been Vproposed for this purpose and with which I am familiar. Inthis connection it will be understood that my inven I providemeans to prevent the 'movement of the plow body' below a certain predetermined depth, that is, prevent its bottom working line from being more 'than a predetermined distance below the ground contacting line of the wheel 3G and yet permit'the power devices, at any instant, to'iinmediatelypress downward the wheel 36, or, in other words, to .raise the `plow body in relation to 'that wheel, it being understood that the 'vertical movements of these two parts, the wheel and thebody, are relative, and therefore the wheel. can be described as moving downward vin relation to the body, or the body as moving upward in relation to the wheel. In

manuallyT actuated or hand-lever mecha` nisnis, the wheel and the body require a lock supplemental to the hand lever proper.'

which lock will prevent relative movement of either the wheel in both directions or the body in both directions. 'In iny construe-- tion there is a lock or stop acting in one di rection only, that is to say, acting to prevent the body from descending below a predetermined line, or to prevent the wheel vfrom relatively rising above a predetermined line, while the body isatthe same time free to move in one direction and the wheels free to move in another direction, and becauseof this lthe power mechanism isA free to automatically press the wheel downward or lift the body upward. nd the final abutment or thrust point around which these relative movements take-place is. the abutment provided bythe single fixed hinge uniting the beam to the-draft frame, Y

The connecting devices between 'the lever.

7i on the main frame and the lever on 1.;A the Lbeam can be so connected as to provide some looseness.

Such -an adjustment is inl dicated in Figs. 2 and where the link 44 is shown as being pivoted torthe leve'r 'T4 at the intermediate pivot holein thev lever. This looseness is found sufiicint on-the one hand to-permit the beam to move downward to some extent below its predetermined nor` mal Ahorizontal plane-without. causing such tension on the lever 39 as to press the Wheel 36 down to any material extent, and on the other hand, the slack or looseness is not sufticiently great to prevent the power devices from practically immediately exerting tension through the transmitting train to effect an instant pick up ofthe beam and body on the wheel. A suiiicient variation, as required by circumstances, can be insured in this respect by the provision made for varying the points of attachment of the draft train to the levers Tl and 39. By ascertaining the proper amount of lost motion and slackness in a draft train such as that herein' shown and then attaching the united parts of the train at the proper points a suiciently wide range in the vertical movements ofthe plow beams can be provided for, particularly where the land is approximately level throughout to avoid the lifting of the body out of the ground by pressureon the wheel, whether the beamfdescends to a limited eX- tent from or lies above its normal plane.

There are a number of characteristics essential for the practical operation of a plow of the class to which my invention relates.-

As the plowing mechanism as a whole is movingsteadily forward during the raising or lowering of the plowing units and as the units are all positioned in the same oblique line it is absolutely essential that both the raising and lowering of the plows be effected at uniform'y intervals of time and at uniform s peeds. Y

As stated at the outset, one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide I ing is not sufficient.

automatic means whereby the ends of the furrows can be made to terminateall in theY same transverseline, and it will therefore be apparent that mere successiveness of lift- The plows must be lifted one after another at uniform intervals of time, each of which-must be the' exact equivalent ofthe interval of time'required for one plow to travel the longitudinal distance between 'it and the next. In order to secure not only the proper uniformity of intervals between the lifting of the different plows, but also to secure the'proper relationship between the said intervals and the rate of travel it is preferable that the lifting mechanism be connected to and operable b v means of one of the main frame ground wheels which of necessity rotates at a speed proportionate to the speed of travel: It 1s also essential that the lifting device for each plowing unit be connected with the power mechanism independently of the others so that no plowing unit or itshfting device can interfere with or in any way affect the operation of its neighbor to vary the speed of lifting or disturb the normal uniformly timed relationship. In plowing, the ground varies greatly from point to point and it frequently happens that when lifting is to take piace one of the plow bodies is embedded in a 'dense heavy clay and that another is embedded in a loose sandy soil. Obviously the plow body in the sandy soil would be lifted more. easily than the other and .it is therefore clear that the lifting devices-for each must be independent as the lifting of the second plow from the sand cannot be made 'dependent upon the prior .lifting of the first plow from the clay. F or a successful modern gang plow it is also essential that a self-contained unit be provided. These plows are hauled by tractors or traction engines which must at times be used for other1 purposes. They must ther'e- .fore be readily detachable and all the mechanisnrne'cessary for plowing must be located on the plowiitself and not on the traction engine or tractor. Furthermore the plow must be'lexibly connected-with the tractor so that it can closelyr Vfollow t-he sur-- 'faceof the ground. For this reason also the plow unit lifting mechanism must be located iixedly with respect to the main frame in order that it may not bein any way aifectediby any relative movements between the main frame and the tractor. Not only must the main frame be flexibly connected to the tractor. but the individual plowing units must be flexibly connected with the frame as concerns relative verti-V cal movements. Each plowing unit must be free to follow the ground surface closely under the guidance and control of its own supporting wheel and without interference by the lifting devices. And yet these lifting devices must be so constructed and arranged as to be substantially instantly available when the time comes for their use.

It will be seen that b v my invention I have provided an entirely' self-contained plowing machine which is independent of the tractor except. for haulage; which hasv a diagonal series of plowing units each firmly pivoted to the main frame and carried in fixed relation to the ground on its own individual supporting wheel; and which has a lifting mechanism, operable independently -of the tractor. mounted on the frame and adapted to lift the normally free plowing units by means of their ground wheels in uniformly timed succession each independently of the others.l

I donot herein specifically claim the features of novelty incident to a single plowing unit and its adjuncts, as these are made ico -the subject of my copending application.v

nected thereto on aline oblique to the direc- A tion of travel, of means for succesisvely raising the plows from the ground comprising a series of-angularly spaced cams, plow lift-- mg devices coperating with said cams and -means for actuating the cams, each of said cams being .formed .with an active part to effect-the. lifting of a plow and a. neutral p art to sustain the plow in elevated position.

2. The combination with a; main plowframe and a series of individual plows con-- 4nected thereto o'n 'a llne'oblique to the d1- rection of travel, of means for succesisvely -raising the plows from the ground 'comprislng a series of rotating angularly spaced cams each of which is formed with an active outwardly curved part and with a. neutral circular part, a series ofplow lifting devices arranged to coperate with the active parts of the cams .to effect the liftingof the plows and with the neutral partsof the cams to sustain the plows in elevated position andmeans for actuating the cams.

3.The combination with a main plow frame anda series of individual plows conl -nected'theleto on a line oblique to the direction of utravel, ofmeans for successively. raising said plows from the ground comprising a series of angularly spaced actuating camseach of which is formed with an active outwardly extending part and with a neutral cylindrical part, a series of members movably mounted upon the main frame' adjacent the cams, a roller on each of said said liftii'zg devices, 'power means for driv.

ing the said actuating devices, manual means for throwing said power means' into operation, and vautomatic means for throwing the power means out of operation to 'stop the said actuating devices with theplows in elevated positions, said actuating devices when stopped by the said automatic means being non-overhauling, whereby' the plows 'when raised are automatically sustained in their elevated positions. Y

5. The combination with a: main plow frame and a series of individual plows connected thereto Aon a line oblique tothe di rection of travel, of meansforsuccessively raisin;r the plows from the ground comprising a series of individual plow lifting devices and a series of devices for successively actuating said lifting devices, said actuating devices having a certain substantial range of movement corresponding to the elevated'positions of the plows within which range sald rotation ofthe cam shaft.

devices are non-overhauling, whereby the plows when raised are automatically `sustained in their elevated positions.

6. 'The combination with a main plow.

frame and a series of individual plows connected thereto on aline oblique to the d1- rection of travel, of means for successively raising and lowering the plows comprising.

a cam shaft mounted on the main frame, a series ofy cams mounted on said shaft, a series of plow lifting devices coperatin'g with the cams respectively, said cams being yangularly spaced in relation to each' other and I each cam having an active part to effect-the lifting of the plow and a. neutral part to sus .tain the plow in raised position, a power shaft on the main frame, and driving connections vbetween the cam shaft and said power shaftincluding a clutch adapted when manuallv tripped to effect a 7. The combination with a main plow partialframe and a series of individual plows connected thereto o'na line oblique -to the direction of travel, of means for raising the plows from the ground 'comprising a cam shaft mounted on the main frame, a series of cams .mounted on said shaft in spaced angular relation toeach` other, a series of swinging levers mounted on the frameV adjacent the respectivecams, each Vof the-cams being arranged to coperate with one of the swinging i fers and adapted when the cam shaftis given a partial rotation to move the' lever and hold it against return and when given a subsequent'additional parti'al rotation to permit the return of Ythe said lever, connections betweenV each lever and` one of the individual plows, and manuallv controlled ,power devices for intermittently turning the cam shaft. 4

8. The combination lwith a main plow frame and a series of individual plows connected thereto on a line oblique to they direc- `tion of tra'vel, of means for successively raising and lowering the plows comprising a cam shaft mounted on the main frame, a series of cams mounted-on said shaft, a s eries ofplow lifting devices coperating with thecams respectively, said cams being anguf larly spaced in relation to each other and each cam having an active'part to effect the liftingvof the plow and a neutral part to sustain the plow in raised position, a Apower A.shaft on the main frame, and driving conbetween the cams and said powerV nections shaft.

9. Bower operative 'means for lifting the plows of a gang successively, comprising levers connected with the' different indi# vidual plows, afcam shaft and a series of' vcams thereon contn'mously contacting with said levers respectively, each of said cams having a continuous surface coi'nprising air-- active lifting portion, a plow sustaining high spaced cams each having a continuous surface comprising a high portion'and a low portion cooperating with one of the Said leversv to oscillate the same and lift or lower the corresponding'plow, said high portions and low 'portions of the cams being shaped and positioned so that a discontinued half revolution 'ofthe cam will operate to-cause. the high portion thereof to lift. the plows and hold the same in lifted positions, while a, further half revolution ofthe cams in the same di.- rection will permit the levers to cooperate with the low portionsV thereof so thatvthe plows will'be lowered, and means to. intermittently effect discontinued half revolutions of said cams. Y Y

l1. In a'traction plow having a tractor i and a gang of plows, a series of levers pivotally mounted on the tractor and connected 'with correspondinglyT positioned plows, a

shaft having a series of. cams cooperating with said levers to oscillate the same to liftA or lower the plows, each of said cams having Y comprising an active lifting portioin;a.plowf, i A

a continuous surface comprising a high portion to lift a'plow and hold the sainein lifted position and a lowv portion tcl-cof the units respectivelyY in fixed relation to the ground, and mutually independent uniformiy speeded power transmitting trains connecting the draftframe ground wheels with the several adjustable ground wheels respectively and acting in uniform succession to move the latter with respect to their units, thereby successively lifting the said units at-uniform intervals denitely related to the speed of travel. Y

i 1l. iThe combination of a draft frame detacliably and flexibly connect-ible. to atractor, ground wheels supporting the frame, trailing plowing units having at their front ends vertically ied transverse horizontal pivotal connections with the frame, vertically adj ustablej ground wheels normally 'carrying -the units respectively in fixed relation'to the ground; tension members independent of each other connected respectively to the plowing units', and the wheels to lift the units by pressing down onthe wheels,

and -power transmitting elements operable by the draft frame ground-wheels and conoperate with said lever. to permit the plow A to be lowered, said high and low portions sively to lift and hold lifted all of'the'plo of the series, 4whilea"further half revolution of Vsaid shaft*k wmf-'successively bring. the low portions of saidbamsinto. coopera-tion with said leverstogpermit all ofthe plows of the series tobe lowered successively, and means half revolutions of said'shaft.

intermittently effect discontinued being dierentially positionedonsaid shaft 'so that a discontinuedhalf revolutionof the shaft will cause the 'high 'portinsfsuc'ces-- nected directly to the frame to beniovable only in fixed predetermined relation thereto and to. each other, the. said 'elements being connected independently of each other to the said'tension members respectively and serv.

ing at will to actuate lthem beginning with 'the one for the foremost unit automatically in successionat uniform intervals' of time, thereby causing the plowing units beginning 'with the foremost to be lifted on 'their ground wheels'in succession 'at uniform intervals Adefinitely related to thev speed of ',travel.

.15.:-The combination of detachably and flexibly connectible Awith a, tractor, trailing plowing units having, at

their front ends vertically fined' transverse,

rhorizontal pivotah connections with the 12. Power operative means forliftin'gthe'-l ent individual plows, a cam shaft, and series v of angularlyspaced cams thereon continuously contactingvith said members; each' of said vcams having'a continuousurface frame, ,vertically adjustable ground wheels normal-ly""carrying the unit-s respectively in xedrelation' tothe-ground, a power inech :an-ism ,having-allegri its parts pperable only in,iiXed'predeterminedrelation to the frame,"

. and mutually independent uniformly speed-V ed powerltransmitt'ing trainslacting in uniform successioni''andconnecting the power mechanisnr with. Ithe several' adjustable ground. wheels respectively to "inove them successively withfrespect to their units, there-' sustaining high portion, ay plowdroppingx portion and. a low portion betweenfijhelift-xv ing and plow'dropping portions, andine'aiis to operate the cam shaft. .t Y Y. z

13. .The combination of adraft'frame de tractor, ground wheels upon which the frame is entirely supported,trailing plow# ing units having at their front ends verticallv fixed transverse horizontal pivotal connections with the frame, vertically ad- 'i ,-161 The combinati bysuccessivelyv lifting .thesaid units upon 'on' of a draft frame de` tachably and flexibly connectible with a tractor, ground -wheelsupon whichthe frame is entirely supported; trailing plowing units having attheir front ends vertically fixed transverse Vhorizontal pivotal connections `with tlieframe. vertically adjustable ground justable .ground 'wheels normally carrying wheelsv normally vcarrying the units respec-` tively `in xed relation to the -ground and mutually independent uniformly speeded 139A pow r transmitting trains connecting-the draft fr anie ground wheels with the several adjustable ground wheels respectively to move them with4 respect to their units, .the initial power receiving elements of the said trainsbeing fixedlyconnected with each other and serving when actuated to start the I transmission of power through the several -tra-ins successively at uniform intervals of time, whereby the said units are successively lifted upon their ground wheels at intervals definitely related tothe speed of travel.

17. The combination of a draft frame detachably .connectible to a tractor, ground wheels upon which the frame is entirely supported, trailing plowing units having at their front ends vertically fixed transverse horizontal pivotal connections with the frame, adjustable ground wheels normally carrying the units respectively in fixed relation to the ground, the said units being definitely limited as to downward movement with respect to the corresponding wheels but beingv atall times free for upward movement when power is applied, and mutually independent uniformly speeded power transmitting trains acting in uniform succession and connecting the draft frame ground Awheels with the severaladjustable ground wheels respectively to move them successively with lrespect to their units, thereby successively lifting the said units upon their ground with the frame, vertically adjustable ground wheels normally carrying the units respectively in fixed relation to the ground, and mutually independentuniformly speeded power transmitting trains connecting the draft frame ground wheels with the several adjustable ground wheels respectively to move them with respect to their units, the

. said trains first acting successively to lift the units, beginning with the foremost, upon their ground wheels inuniform succession and then acting successively to release the units, beginning with thejforemost, to permit them to drop in uniform succession.

19. The combination of a. draft frame de-` tor, ground wheels supporting the frame, trailing plowing units having at` their front ends vertically-fixed transverse horizontal pivotal l connections with the frame, vertically adjustable ground wheels normally .carrying the units respectively in fixed relation to the ground, power transmitting elements, operable by the draft frame ground wheels and connecteddirectly to .the frame'to be Liconsa movable only in fixed predetermined relation thereto and to each other, independent tension members connecting the said power transmitting elements independently of each other with the plowing units and the wheels respectively to lift the units by pressing I Asuccession at uniform intervals and the said transmitting elements subsequently serving. at will to release the tension members, beginning with the foremost, automatically in succession at uniform intervals definitely related to the speed' of travel of time, thereby permitting the plowing units, beginning with the foremost, to diop Ain succession at uniform intervals.v 1 I 20. The combination of a draft frame detachably and flexibly coiinectible with a tractor, trailing plowing units having at their front ends vertically fixed transverse horizontal pivotal connections with the frame, vertically adjustable ground wheelsl normally carrying the units respectively in fixed relation fo the ground, a power mechanism having all Aof its parts operableonly in xed predetermined relation to the frame, and mutually independent uniformly speeded power transmitting trains connecting the power mechanism with the several adjust.- able ground wheels respectively and acting in uniform succession first to move thenr successively downward with respect to their units and then to release them to permitY them to move successively upward with r-espect to their unitsxthereby successively lift- 'ing the said units upon their ground wheels A tension members independent of each other tachably and flexibly connectible to a ti'acconnected respectively tollthe 'plowiii units of the wheels to lift theiinits by pressing -down on the wheels, and power transmitting elements operable by the said power niecli anism and connected directly to the frame .to be movable only in fixed predetermined the 'one for the foremos unit automatically in succession at unifor intervals of time, thereby causing the plowing units beginning with the foremost to' be lifted on their ground wheels. in succession at iiniform in tervals. j Y' The combination of adraft frame de'- tachably connectible to ait-ractor, ground -wheels upon which thel frame 4is entirely supported, trailingaplowing units having at their front ends vertically :fixed transverse horizontal pivotal. connections with fthe' frame, adjustable ground wheels normally carrying the units respectively in fixed relation to the ground, the said yunits being| definitely limited as to downward movement withrespect to the corresponding wheels but being at all times free for upward movement when power is applied, a power mechanism having all of its parts operable only in fixed predetermined relation to the frame, and mutually independent uniformly speeded power transmitting trains acting in uniform succession and connecting the lsaid power mechanism with the several adjustable ground wheels respectively to move them successively with respect to their units, thereby successively liftingv the said units upon their ground .wheels at uniform intervals.

Y 23. rl`he combination of a draft frame detachably and flexibly connectibleluwith atractor, trailing plowing units having at their front ends vertically fixed transverse horizontal pivotal' connections with theframe, vertically adjustable ground wheels nor- -mally carrying the units respectively in fixed relation to the ground. a power mechanism havingall of its parte operablev only in d xedv predeterminedrelatien-te the frame, levers piv'oted to the respective"connected to The ground wheels-thereof, forward extending links iconnefcted, respectively. with x the levers, and mutually independent uni-v formly speeded power transmitting devices on the draftframe acting'ifil uniform succession and connecting the power mechanism with the front ends of tli ...feral links to move theiiisuceessively, thereby successively moving the levers and ground wheels-.and x lifting the said units upon their*ground wheels. Y'

24'. The. combinationbfa draft frame de-v tachably and flexibly connectible with atraetor, ground wheels upon whichthe frame is entirely supported, trailingplowing units having at their front .ends vertically xed transverse horizontal pivotal connections with the frame, vertically adjustable ground wheels -normally carrying the units respec tively in fixed relation to the; ground, mutually independent uniformly ground wheel actuated power transmitting trains connected with the severaladjustable ground wheels respectively and Vacting in uniform succession tomove the latter with respect to their units, thereby successively liftingtlie said units at uniform intervals definitelyrelated to the speed of travel.

25. The combination of a draft frame detach'ably and flexibly connectible with a tractor, ground wheels upon which the frame is entirely supported, trailing ployving units having at their front ends vertically fixed transverse horizontal pivotal connections with the frame, vertically adjustable ground wheels normally carrying the units respecvain-uniform intervals denitely related to the.f

speed of travels' 26. The combinationof a draft frame detachably and flexibly connectible with a tractor, `ground wheels upon which lthe frame is entirelyV supported, trailing plowing 'units having at their frontl ends vertically fixed transverse horizontal pivotal .connections With theframe, vertically -adjustable ground wheels normally carrying the units respectively in fixed relation to the groimd, aV

' manually ngageable clutch having its driving element connected with thev draft frame .ground wheels, and mutually independent uniformly speeded pbwer -transmitting said clutch, with the several adjustable' spect to their units, thereby successively lift-V 'ing the said units at uniform intervals definitely to the speed of vtra-vel.

'27. The combination of adraft frame deltachablv and flexibly ,connectible with a tractor, groundwheels upon' which the frame'is vtrains connecting the driven element of the groundV wheels respectively and acting in uni- .form `succession to'move the latter with retively in. fixed relation to the ground, a

.manually engageable clutch having its driving element connected wi h the draft frame ground wheels, mutually .independent uniformly speeded pofventransinitting trains connecting.l thev driven element ofthesaid clutch. the several. adj ustable ground .wheels` respectively and acting in uniform succession to--movethelatte'r with respect to their units, t hereby successively'lifting the. said iunit's at uniform intervals definitely to thespeed of. travel, and means for automatiisc cally disengaging the clutch after theli'i'ting of all of the units. y

^ '28. -ihe combination of a draft framedetac'hably'.l and flexibly connectible with a -1 tractor, lground wheels upon which the :frame is entirely supported, trailing plow- .4 ing units having at their front ends veitically nxed transverse horizontal pivotal connections with-the frame, vertically adjustable ground wheels normally-carrying the v:units respectively Ainiixed relation to the at unformintervals of time and at .iuiiforiii speeds to cause the plowing units to be lifted ground, a" manually engageable clutch having itsvdriving element connected with the vdraft iframe ground wheels, power transmitters independent of each other and connect'e'dgrespectivelyto the sa-id wheels and plowing -units to lift the units by pressing down on the wheels, means on theframe conv'nected with the driven 'element ofthe clutch andcomprising a plurality of rotatable angularly spaced eccentric arms, devices connected with the' said power transmitters and engaging respectively with the said eccentric arms, whereby when the arms are turned thetran'smitters are actuatedin succession successivelyT at uniform'intervals and at uniform's'peeds and whereby at the end'of al part of a revolution tlie transmitters are locked by the arms against retrograde movement 4thereby holding the units in lifted ponections with the frame, vertically adjustable ,ground wheels normally carrying the units respectively in fixed relation to the ground, a power mechanism having allot [its parts operable only in -xed predetermined relation to the frame, power transmitting devices connected with the several adjustable ground wheels respectively `to move them' downward with respect to their units, and means actuated by the said power mechanism t'or actuating the said devices successively beginning with the one for the foremost unit to litt the units successively and for releasing the said devices successively beginning with the one for the foremost unit to drop the units successively.

v30. rl`he combination of a draft 'frame detachably and flexibly connectible with a tractor, ground wheels upon which the frame is entirely supported, a diagonal series ot' trailingplowing units having at-tlieir front ends vertically tixed transverse horizontal pivotal connections with the frame, vertically adjustable ground wheels normally carrying the units respectively in fixed relation to the ground, power transmitting devices connected with the several adjustable ground wheels respectively to move them with respect to their units, and means actuated by the draft frame ground wheels for actuating the said devices successively beginning with the one for the foremost unit to lift thev units successively and for releasing the said de,- vices successively beginning with the one Jfor the foremostunit to drop the units successively.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature',

.in presence of two witnesses.

' j JOHN B'. BARTHOLOMEX-V, lVitnesses: 1

A. L. GREGORY,

J. M. CALDWELL. 

